Appeal to stop irresponsible AIDS Drug Ads.

February 17, 2006

Stop Irresponsible AIDS Drug Ads Dear AHF Community Advocate, Welcome to AIDS Healthcare Foundation's expanded online network of community advocates, committed to fighting for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment for all. It is our hope to build an online community of grassroots advocates like yourself and, through action on issues affecting those living with HIV/AIDS, continue to effect change at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as globally. You can make a difference today by taking action on

the important issue of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising of HIV/AIDS medications. The reckless and irresponsible practice of advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers through ads on television, on the radio, in newspapers and magazines has become standard practice for this multi-billion dollar industry. To the left see just one example of DTC Advertising that minimizes the realities of living with HIV. Please click on the "Take Action" button to send a letter to your Congress Member urging him/her to press for legislation to end irresponsible Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising of prescription HIV/AIDS medications. Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): Your Congressperson Your Senators Below is the sample letter: Stop Irresponsible HIV/AIDS Drug Ads Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here], As a concerned consumer, I remain troubled by skyrocketing drug costs and health care expenses, particularly for those people living with HIV/AIDS. I recognize the important role the drug industry plays in the fight against AIDS; however, I am alarmed at the standard industry practices of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) marketing of prescription drugs, particularly of life-saving AIDS drug therapies. I urge you to press for legislation to end irresponsible Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising of prescription HIV/AIDS medications. The pharmaceutical industry reaps profits well beyond those of other industries. The industry justifies these profits by invoking costly research and development of new drugs, but

analyses have shown that on average drug companies spend twice as much on marketing, advertising and administration, as they do on research and development. Add this to a drug pipeline with no real innovation, dominated instead with an influx of "me too" drugs and the p Sincerely,[Your Name] Take Action! Instructions:Click here to take action on this issue or choose the "Reply to Sender" option on your email program. You MUST reply with "Stop Irrresponsible AIDS Drug Ads" in the subject. Tell-A-Friend:There is strength in numbers! Please invite your friends to become AHF Community Advocates by clicking on the link below: Tell-a-Friend! What's At Stake: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising of HIV/AIDS medications is dangerous because it: Interferes with the doctor-patient relationship Downplays the risk and severity of side effects Minimizes and romanticizes the realities of living with HIV and AIDS, undercutting prevention messages Contributes to skyrocketing prescription drug prices Places profit above public health Facts about the drug industry and Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising: Drug companies spend twice as much on marketing, advertising and administration, as they do on research and development. The pharmaceutical industry reaps enormous profits ¾six times that of other Fortune 500 companies The drug industry spends more than $4 billion a year advertising brand-name prescription drugs to consumers. For every dollar that

drug companies spend on consumer advertising, they earn an estimated $4.20 in sales. This means that in 2004, the drug industry's consumer ad campaigns earned them up to $16.8 billion in extra profits from expensive, brand-name drugs. Campaign Expiration Date:December 31, 2006 If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

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